Mr. Caso thinks Apple will release a 6-inch display iPhone model in mid 2014 as a necessary move to compete with Samsung's smartphone lineup — the implication being that the iPhone 5S and iPhone 5C are failing to succeed in the smartphone market. Apple's current smartphone lineup uses a 4-inch Retina Display for the iPhone 5S and 5C, and a 3.5-inch display for the iPhone 4S.
According to Investors.com, he expects Apple will go for a higher price point with the larger screen iPhone, too. Mr. Caso said,
At present, the launch price of iPhone 5S (both subsidized and unsubsidized) is the same as the launch prices for Samsung's Galaxy S series of flagship phones. As such, we think Apple could get away with a $50 to $100 premium for a larger screen size iPhone 6.
Bumping up the screen size would put the iPhone in line with many Android-based smartphones from Samsung, although that extra display real estate would come at a price. As screens get larger, fewer people can use their smartphones one-handed, which is a trait Apple's been touting ever since the original iPhone was released in 2007.
Mr. Caso isn't the only analyst predicting a larger iPhone, although 6-inches is on the high end of expectations. Peter Misek from Jefferies is expecting the the next iPhone model to ship with a 4.8-inch display, which is bigger than what Apple currently offers, but potentially still manageable in one hand.
Apple doesn't comment on unannounced products, although it's reasonable to assume the company does have larger screen iPhones in its secret labs. Whether or not any of those designs ever ship, however, is the big question, and so far Apple hasn't felt consumers need a substantially larger iPhone display.
Apple is currently trading at US$518.49, down 1.06 (0.20%)